North Carolina State University in the newshttp://phys.org/
en-usLatest news from North Carolina State UniversityThe evolutionary link between diet and stomach acidityAn analysis of data on stomach acidity and diet in birds and mammals suggests that high levels of stomach acidity developed not to help animals break down food, but to defend animals against food poisoning. The work raises interesting questions about the evolution of stomach acidity in humans, and how modern life may be affecting both our stomach acidity and the microbial communities that live in our guts.http://phys.org/news/2015-07-evolutionary-link-diet-stomach-acidity.html
Evolution Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:00:08 EDTnews357374901Researchers boost wireless power transfer with magnetic field enhancementResearch from North Carolina State University and Carnegie Mellon University shows that passing wireless power transfer through a magnetic resonance field enhancer (MRFE) – which can be as simple as a copper loop – can boost the transfer efficiency by at least 100 percent as compared to transferring through air alone. MRFE use could potentially boost transfer efficiency by as much as 5,000 percent in some systems, experts say.http://phys.org/news/2015-07-boost-wireless-power-magnetic-field.html
Engineering Thu, 23 Jul 2015 09:30:01 EDTnews356858895The ecology of the future and the future of ecologyBiologists in North Carolina are trying to get a glimpse of the future through a project designed to shed light on how rising temperatures will affect the insects and microbial life that play critical roles in the environment. But the researchers are also hoping to shape the future, working with college students from underrepresented groups and designing citizen science tools to give middle school students everywhere the chance to be involved in scientific discovery.http://phys.org/news/2015-07-ecology-future.html
Social Sciences Tue, 21 Jul 2015 06:50:04 EDTnews356678763The Angelina Jolie Effect on breast cancer screeningAngelina Jolie received widespread media attention in 2013 when she told the public that she'd tested positive for BRCA1, a gene associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and subsequently had a double mastectomy. Now research shows that this publicity did influence some women's intentions to seek out similar genetic testing.http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-07-angelina-jolie-effect-breast-cancer.html
Cancer Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:36:28 EDTnews356621769Public response to new technologies in food depends on the type of techThere's a lot of interest in how the public will respond to incorporating new technologies, such as nanotechnology or genetic modification (GM), into food products – but it can be difficult to tell which technologies will be widely accepted. A recent study highlights the complexity of the issue and shows that different factors may come into play when people make decisions about whether to buy GM food versus when they make those decisions about "nano-food."http://phys.org/news/2015-07-response-technologies-food-tech.html
Bio & Medicine Wed, 15 Jul 2015 06:40:03 EDTnews356158210Researchers find nanowires have unusually pronounced 'anelastic' propertiesResearchers from North Carolina State University and Brown University have found that nanoscale wires (nanowires) made of common semiconductor materials have a pronounced anelasticity - meaning that the wires, when bent, return slowly to their original shape rather than snapping back quickly.http://phys.org/news/2015-07-nanowires-unusually-pronounced-anelastic-properties.html
Nanophysics Mon, 13 Jul 2015 11:00:07 EDTnews355998212Environmentally friendly lignin nanoparticle 'greens' silver nanobullet to battle bacteriaNorth Carolina State University researchers have developed an effective and environmentally benign method to combat bacteria by engineering nanoscale particles that add the antimicrobial potency of silver to a core of lignin, a ubiquitous substance found in all plant cells. The findings introduce ideas for better, greener and safer nanotechnology and could lead to enhanced efficiency of antimicrobial products used in agriculture and personal care.http://phys.org/news/2015-07-environmentally-friendly-lignin-nanoparticle-greens.html
Bio & Medicine Mon, 13 Jul 2015 11:00:06 EDTnews355998033Early lead exposure affects gene expression throughout lifeA team of researchers led by North Carolina State University biologists Cathrine Hoyo and Randy Jirtle have found links between lead exposure in children and epigenetic alterations in regulatory regions of genes that are imprinted and known to be critical in growth regulation and brain development. These alterations seem to persist into adulthood, with more profound effects in males. Their study sheds more light on the long-term effects of early lead exposure on DNA and may help to develop therapies to treat or reverse the damage.http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-07-early-exposure-affects-gene-life.html
Genetics Mon, 13 Jul 2015 06:37:29 EDTnews355988241Finding an off switch in wood formationThe same process plants use to respond to environmental stress acts as an on/off switch for a key enzyme in wood formation, NC State researchers have found.http://phys.org/news/2015-07-wood-formation.html
Biotechnology Wed, 08 Jul 2015 07:10:05 EDTnews355556867Where the wild things aren't: Cats avoid places coyotes roamDomestic cats might be determined hunters, but they stick mostly to residential areas instead of venturing into parks and protected areas where coyotes roam. That's the key finding from a North Carolina State University analysis of more than 2,100 sites - the first large-scale study of free-ranging cats in the U.S. published in the Journal of Mammalogy.http://phys.org/news/2015-06-wild-cats-coyotes-roam.html
Plants & Animals Tue, 30 Jun 2015 16:00:01 EDTnews354877804How old you feel matters (and it changes day to day)New research finds that how old you feel changes on a daily basis – and that has very real ramifications for your well-being.http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-06-day.html
Psychology & Psychiatry Tue, 30 Jun 2015 09:05:34 EDTnews354873927Even fraud-savvy investors often look for the wrong red flags, study saysNew research identifies the types of investors who are vigilant about corporate fraud, but finds that most of those investors are tracking the wrong red flags - meaning the warning signs they look for are clear only after it's too late to protect their investment. The work was performed by researchers at North Carolina State University, George Mason University, the University of Virginia and the University of Cincinnati.http://phys.org/news/2015-06-fraud-savvy-investors-wrong-red-flags.html
Economics & Business Mon, 29 Jun 2015 02:49:38 EDTnews354764969MARCKS protein may help protect brain cells from age damageA common protein, when produced by specialized barrier cells in the brain, could help protect the brain from damage due to aging. This protein – MARCKS – may act as both a bouncer and a housekeeping service, by helping clear away proteins and keeping the cell barrier intact, and its absence in these cells weakens their ability to serve as a barrier and transport system for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain.http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-06-marcks-protein-brain-cells-age.html
Neuroscience Fri, 26 Jun 2015 06:53:37 EDTnews354520410Distributed technique for power scheduling advances smart grid conceptResearchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique for "scheduling" energy in electric grids that moves away from centralized management by tapping into the distributed computing power of energy devices. The approach advances the smart grid concept by coordinating the energy being produced and stored by both conventional and renewable sources.http://phys.org/news/2015-06-technique-power-advances-smart-grid.html
Energy & Green Tech Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:05:01 EDTnews354351892Researchers create transparent, stretchable conductors using nano-accordion structureResearchers from North Carolina State University have created stretchable, transparent conductors that work because of the structures' "nano-accordion" design. The conductors could be used in a wide variety of applications, such as flexible electronics, stretchable displays or wearable sensors.http://phys.org/news/2015-06-transparent-stretchable-conductors-nano-accordion.html
Nanomaterials Tue, 16 Jun 2015 09:00:02 EDTnews353641354Bacterial genome scalpel can identify key gene regionsIn a study that twists nature's arm to gain clues into the varied functions of the bacterial genome, North Carolina State University researchers utilize a precision scalpel to excise target genomic regions that are expendable. This strategy can also elucidate gene regions that are essential for bacterial survival. The approach offers a rapid and effective way to identify core and essential genomic regions, eliminate non-essential regions and leads to greater understanding of bacterial evolution in a chaotic pool of gene loss and gene acquisition.http://phys.org/news/2015-06-bacterial-genome-scalpel-key-gene.html
Cell & Microbiology Mon, 15 Jun 2015 15:00:06 EDTnews353586963Study examines modifications that occur on proteins in natural environments over timeA recently extinct flightless bird is helping molecular paleontologists learn more about not only the species in question, but also about how proteins preserve and degrade in fossils.http://phys.org/news/2015-06-modifications-proteins-natural-environments.html
Plants & Animals Thu, 11 Jun 2015 05:43:48 EDTnews353220216Insect's wings key to azalea pollinationA researcher from North Carolina State University has found that in the case of the flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum), all pollinators are not created equal. In fact, due to the flower's unique reproductive structure, butterflies – and specifically, their wings – are the key to pollination.http://phys.org/news/2015-06-insect-wings-key-azalea-pollination.html
Plants & Animals Tue, 09 Jun 2015 07:20:05 EDTnews353052166Yes, that ant does smell like blue cheeseIf you live in the United States, you've probably seen an odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile) – one of the most common ants in the country. And for more than 50 years they've been described as smelling like rotten coconut. But Clint Penick thinks they smell like blue cheese. And he can prove he's right.http://phys.org/news/2015-06-ant-blue-cheese.html
Plants & Animals Mon, 08 Jun 2015 08:16:19 EDTnews352970157How do scientists predict the size of an oceanic 'dead zone'?Later this month, NOAA will announce its prediction for how big the hypoxic "dead zone" will be in the Gulf of Mexico. This year the forecast will be based on an ensemble that incorporates the results of four different computer models. But what is a dead zone? And how do researchers predict how big it will be?http://phys.org/news/2015-06-scientists-size-oceanic-dead-zone.html
Environment Fri, 05 Jun 2015 06:12:08 EDTnews352703517Researchers seek sneak peek into the future of forestsScores of scientists from dozens of research institutions are descending on a patch of forest in central North Carolina, taking samples of everything from ants and mites to rotifers and tardigrades – samples they hope will offer a glimpse into the future of forest ecosystems.http://phys.org/news/2015-06-peek-future-forests.html
Plants & Animals Tue, 02 Jun 2015 10:00:02 EDTnews352455901Field study shows how a GM crop can have diminishing success at fighting off insect pestA new study from North Carolina State University and Clemson University finds that the toxin in a widely used genetically modified (GM) crop is having little impact on the crop pest called corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) – which is consistent with predictions made almost 20 years ago that had been largely ignored. The study may be a signal to pay closer attention to warning signs about the development of resistance in agricultural pests to GM crops.http://phys.org/news/2015-05-field-gm-crop-diminishing-success.html
Ecology Thu, 21 May 2015 09:03:19 EDTnews351417791'Microcombing' creates stronger, more conductive carbon nanotube filmsResearchers from North Carolina State University and China's Suzhou Institute of Nano-Science and Nano-Biotics have developed an inexpensive technique called "microcombing" to align carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which can be used to create large, pure CNT films that are stronger than any previous such films. The technique also improves the electrical conductivity that makes these films attractive for use in electronic and aerospace applications.http://phys.org/news/2015-05-microcombing-stronger-carbon-nanotube.html
Nanophysics Tue, 05 May 2015 09:03:03 EDTnews350035364Cross-population study links individuals' chemical sensitivity, genesResearchers from North Carolina State University and across the U.S. conducted the first large-scale cell-based screening to test variations in environmental chemical sensitivity across a range of human populations and link those variations to genetic data. The data will improve risk assessment, and shed light on the ways in which our genes interact with certain chemicals.http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-05-cross-population-links-individuals-chemical-sensitivity.html
Genetics Mon, 04 May 2015 06:37:35 EDTnews349940248Study finds guidance improves food safety practices at school, community gardensSchool and community gardens have become increasingly popular in recent years, but the people managing and working in these gardens are often unfamiliar with food safety practices that reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Now researchers have developed guidelines that address how to limit risk in these gardens - and a pilot study shows that the guidelines make a difference.http://phys.org/news/2015-05-guidance-food-safety-school-gardens.html
Other Fri, 01 May 2015 09:54:06 EDTnews349692839Citizen science helps predict spread of sudden oak deathEfforts to predict the emergence and spread of sudden oak death, an infectious tree-killing disease, have gotten a big boost from the work of grassroots volunteers.http://phys.org/news/2015-05-citizen-science-emerging-infectious-disease.html
Ecology Fri, 01 May 2015 02:22:53 EDTnews349665762Enron becomes unlikely data source for computer science researchersComputer science researchers have turned to unlikely sources - including Enron - for assembling huge collections of spreadsheets that can be used to study how people use this software. The goal is for the data to facilitate research to make spreadsheets more useful.http://phys.org/news/2015-04-enron-source-science.html
Computer Sciences Wed, 29 Apr 2015 10:10:25 EDTnews349521015Lightweight membrane can significantly reduce in-flight aircraft noiseRiding in a helicopter or airplane can be a noisy experience for passengers. But researchers from North Carolina State University and MIT have developed a membrane that can be incorporated into aircraft to drastically reduce the low-frequency noise that penetrates the cabin.http://phys.org/news/2015-04-lightweight-membrane-significantly-in-flight-aircraft.html
General Physics Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:50:55 EDTnews349357843Beagles help hunt for genes associated with canine, human bladder cancerBeagles aren't just one of America's most popular dog breeds. According to new research from North Carolina State University, they're also key to new findings about the chromosomal changes associated with urothelial carcinoma, or bladder cancer. These findings could lead to better diagnostic tests for both canine and human patients.http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-04-beagles-genes-canine-human-bladder.html
Genetics Mon, 27 Apr 2015 06:15:27 EDTnews349334111Electron spin brings order to high entropy alloysResearchers from North Carolina State University have discovered that electron spin brings a previously unknown degree of order to the high entropy alloy nickel iron chromium cobalt (NiFeCrCo) - and may play a role in giving the alloy its desirable properties.http://phys.org/news/2015-04-electron-high-entropy-alloys.html
Condensed Matter Wed, 22 Apr 2015 10:24:45 EDTnews348917077